Significant bruising and swelling with Juvederm lip augmentation - is this normal? (Photo)

It is common to bruise after lip injections due to the increase in blood vessels in the area. It is not common to bruise as much as your photos show, although it sometimes happens even to the best injectors.  You should have been educated, prior to your treatment, that certain products such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, blood thinners, etc. can increase your risk of bruising.  ABut, NEVER go to a hair salon for a cosmetic medical treatment.  Besides not being as sanitary as a medical office, most busy, experienced injector's would not be going to a salon, or someone's home for a party, to do injections.  This indicates desperation for business". Also, any physician can call themselves a "Cosmetic surgeon" as it is not an official specialty and can be a pediatrician, radiologist, ER doctor, etc, rather than a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.    You should have also been given aftercare instructions such as icing the area.  When having a cosmetic procedure, WHO you go to is more important than what you are having done.   You are not purchasing the product, you are purchasing the expertise and talent.  That's why it's cheaper to go to salons, medispas and other clinics where the injector's name and specialty is not emphasized.

The lip can bruise and swell, but this is likely from a combination of bad luck as well as poor technique.  I suggest you go to an expert next time and someone who uses cannulas, which prevent bruising and swelling and pain.  My patients never have issues like this.  If there is significant pain or any skin breakdown, please see your physician immediately.  Otherwise this will take a few weeks to clear.  It can go away quicker if you get pulsed dye laser treatments. Best, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for
your question and photograph. It’s not unusual for patients to have contour
irregularities of their lips and experience bruising immediately following
injections with Juvederm. In most patients this is usually related to swelling
and can take up to 2 weeks to resolve. Unfortunately in some cases, these lumps
and bruises may be related to uneven injection of Juvederm. Your doctor may
want to dissolve the filler with an enzyme known as hyaluronidase. I recommend
you follow up with your injector for an evaluation as soon as possible. All the
best!

Having procedures done in a beauty salon is usually a bad idea, hyped up by the salon owners who may be getting free services in return. It allows you no time to research the doctor and his/her qualifications. I would be very concerned about how your lips look now and I would seek expert advice in person as soon as possible. Best wishes.

Unfortunately there is not much to be done at this point about your lips except elevation, ice, and possibly steroids. This injector appears to not be experienced in the gentle touch required for the lips. A vbeam or Excel V laser can decrease the bruising time to a few days. I'd choose another provider in the future. Most of my patients continue their normal social activities after having their lips done. I like to use Restylane Silk now.

Your concern is understandable. While swelling and bruising are common side effects after lip injections, especially within the first 24 to 48 hours, the bruising in your photos looks excessive. You should have received information on pre- and post-procedure care. It is very important to have an experienced, qualified medical professional performing the injection in a sanitary environment. Consult the injector in person about your concerns. You may also wish to consult a physician for a second opinion. If you choose to have your lips injected in the future, you can minimize bruising by not consuming certain ingredients that cause bruising such as green tea, ginger, and over-the-counter supplements like Omega‑3 pills. Icing the lips immediately after injections and repeated sessions of icing on the lips for the first 24 hours can help relieve symptoms quicker. Elevated sleeping the first night is recommended to reduce any swelling in the face and lips.